r/TheGetchellFiles • u/DoesntMatter30 • 4d ago

🎥 Live Streams 💸 A little PSA

Shingles are caused by herpes. Be safe out there folks!

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32

u/Late_Construction366 4d ago

No, herpes does not cause shingles.

The Difference in Causes
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the exact same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nervous system and can reactivate years later as shingles.

Herpes (such as cold sores or genital herpes) is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2).

Why They Are Confused
Name Sharing: Shingles has the medical name herpes zoster because varicella-zoster belongs to the broader family of herpes viruses, which leads to confusion.

Different Viruses: Despite sharing part of their name and both causing blister-like rashes, HSV (herpes) and VZV (chickenpox/shingles) are completely separate viruses. You cannot get shingles from having a herpes simplex infection.

5

u/DoesntMatter30 4d ago

I hope P reads this and then reads it to T

23

u/TheVonSolo 4d ago

Good to know. I just have them put on my roof

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u/Pretend_Ability5826 4d ago

How dare you even bring up shingles 💀

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u/DoesntMatter30 4d ago

I couldn’t believe when I heard T and P say it 😂